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Spanoulis: Papanikolaou is an example for young players and teammates
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Spanoulis: Papanikolaou is an example for young players and teammates

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Greek national basketball team coach Vassilis Spanoulis addressed the media ahead of crucial qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
  • Spanoulis praised veteran player Kostas Papanikolaou as an exemplary leader for both young players and teammates.
  • He also discussed the need for more Greek players to gain playing time in the domestic league to improve their readiness for the national team.

Vassilis Spanoulis, head coach of the Greek men's national basketball team, spoke at the team's media day, focusing on upcoming crucial qualifiers against Romania and Portugal for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Spanoulis acknowledged the challenge of players needing to find form quickly after demanding club seasons but stressed the necessity of adapting to the situation, which affects all teams.

Kostas is an example not only for the young kids but also for his teammates. He is our captain, and it is truly a blessing to have him here with the national team.

— Vassilis SpanoulisPraising veteran player Kostas Papanikolaou's leadership and importance to the team.

"For Kostas, whatever I say is too little," Spanoulis stated, highlighting the veteran player's significance. "Kostas is an example not only for the young kids but also for his teammates. He is our captain, and it is truly a blessing to have him here with the national team."

Discussing the pool of Greek players, Spanoulis expressed concern over some players not getting sufficient minutes in their club teams. "The national team is the ultimate honor for every player. On the other hand, many kids come here without enough playing time in their teams. They really come here to find themselves, and that's something we don't like," he said. Spanoulis urged for more Greek players to compete in the domestic league, emphasizing that playing time is crucial for their development and readiness for top-tier teams.

The national team is the ultimate honor for every player. On the other hand, many kids come here without enough playing time in their teams. They really come here to find themselves, and that's something we don't like.

— Vassilis SpanoulisExpressing concern about the lack of playing time for some players in their club teams.

When asked about his son, who was named MVP of the Panhellenic U16 Championship, Spanoulis expressed pride but tempered it with a reminder of the need for humility. "He is still very young. It's certainly nice to see your child progress and improve. But he is still very young and must remain humble, have health, and have the desire. I believe my wife and I are raising our children the right way, and he knows very well that for me, he is my son, and for the basketball world, he is himself."

He is still very young and must remain humble, have health, and have the desire.

— Vassilis SpanoulisCommenting on his son's recent MVP award while emphasizing the importance of humility and continued effort.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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